Yellow R400 SV at Caterham

[Jmracing66]

Hi all,

Does anyone know the yellow R400 for sale at Caterham.

Why do you think this one has hung around for a while as on the face of it looks like a good car for sensible money ?

What's putting people off ?

Cheers

[sjmmarsh]

Yes, it looks a tidy car from the photos. Things that may be putting people off (all my supposition)

The car is 13 years old, but that shouldn't matter if the condition is good. Check the grot traps between the footwell and the side skin for signs of corrosion. It seems a very good spec for the money.

The spec suggests that it has been tracked. It is what Caterhams are best at, but it puts some people off

I don't think CC did a R400SV in 2001, so probably an engine upgrade - less attractive if not Caterham standard.

The decals are later than 2001 - probably re sprayed?

The Cat and exhaust look less cared for than the rest of the car, but that may just be the photos.

I'd ask CC about the history of the car, although I'd expect them to have 'no knowledge' of whether it was tracked or not.

Steve

[Redbrix]

I believe the R400 was introduced in 2003.

[Grubbster]

Looks like a fair spec for the money but don't get carried away with the R400 badge as it isn't one. It looks like a well specced Roadsport SV with a 200 bhp K engine. Odd to see A021 tyres on the front and CR500's on the rear (easy to fix though). It says dry sump but if it is this isn't clear from the photos (the std CC one would have a bellhousing tank). It would have been very unusual for someone to spec an R400 with a spare wheel, leather seats, fibreglass nose and wings and no dash plaque

[Jmracing66]

Thanks guys, I think that pretty much explains it.

I'm quite suprised the the factory would sell a car which doesn't appear to be an R400 as an R400.

[Grubbster]

They usually only sell cars that are standard or ones that have been upgraded through the official route - they wouldn't touch my car with a bargepole! So I would think that this one is acceptable to them as being a spec they supplied (or could have supplied). It's easy to get stickers made with R400 or whatever you would want (mine says it is a Supersnot R!) and as already said the R400 was introduced in 2002.

But regardless of authenticity it is still a nicely specced car which I'm sure any future owner is going to enjoy, I'm not best placed to say whether it is value for money or not though, seems a little high but it is low mileage and will come with some warranty.

[Grubbster]

Just looked again and I'm not convinced it has a dry sump - you can see a braided hose connected to the engine cam cover, this is for the 'Apollo oil/air separator' and usually if you have a dry sump you wouldn't have one of these fitted. And it has a dipstick, you wouldn't have that in a dry sumped engine either.